Ignition-control apparatus



A. A. KENT.

IGNITION CONTROL APPARATUS..

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1921.

1,407,2 4 Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

INVENTOR.

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A; L BY flmfimua M QM ATTORNEY.

UNITE ii;-

FFIQEQ ARTHUR .ATWATER KENT, F .MtDMORE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNGR Til ATWATER KENT iEANUFACTURING coiurANY,

'conronarroiv or 'rmsvnvmn.

Continuation of application Serial No. 131,750, filed November 18, 1916.

Serial No. 351,700. This application filed Juy 8, 1921.

new and useful Improvements in Ignition Control Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ignition timing or controlling devices and distributors, such as are used in rapidly making and breaking a primary electrical circuit and inducing in a secondary circuit a current of high potential sufiicient to cause sparks at the spark plugs in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine.

The invention further relates to that type of contact maker in which the primary circuit is held normally closed through theinterrupter contacts, the secondary current be- "injfinduced by the periodic rupture of the primary circuit. Such contact makers or interrupters are particularly adapted for opcrating at high speeds to produce a very rapid sequence or succession of sparks, each in a different, cylinder of the engine.

The objects of this invention are to provide a combined contact maker or interrupter and distributorv which is of few and simple 0 parts; is accurate in its operation; is easily adjusted; and in-whieh the operative parts are so constructed as to positively prevent the accidental grounding of the c1rc'uits, or the breakingdown of the circuits by-a jump of the secondary current across the insulated parts.

'- Further objects of this invention are to construct the cam employed to separate the contacts of a hard, smooth, substantially un- 0 wearing moldable insulating material, such,

for instance, as a condensation product, as bakelite, and to make the cam follower of steel or other suitable metal; to make the cam and the arm of the distributor of the secondary circuitintegral with each other,

and both of a smooth hard wear-resisting non-conductor of electricity, such as, for-instance, bakelite; to mold such combined cam and distributor arm or distributor block directly on to and over the end of the driving shaft so that when once thus rigidly secured to the shaft they are permanently attached Specification of let terslatent.

t3 PHILADELPHIA, EEWQYLVMIA, A

IGNITI DN-CON Patented .21, 1922.

Serial 260. @83388.

to the shaft; and to provide a constructibn in contact maker or timing apparatus per se whlch there cannot be any relative chang m the position between the cam and the distrlbutor block.

Other objects .of this invention are to pro;v

vide a. construction in which the relatively stationary contact, which is preferably tungsten, IS permanently and ed upon and embedded in a relatively large body of heat conductive material, such as cast lron, having a large heat radiating surface; to make the contact metal body that the heating of the contact 1s substantially prevented or avoided, by reason of the radiation from said relatively large body of the heat which a spark between the contacts generates.

Other objects of my invention are t provide means whereby the cover of the condenser, which bridges the contacts, and on which is mounted the relatively stationary contact, is capable of adjustive movement sufficlent accurately to adjust the relation of the contacts with respect to eachother; to adjust the amount of movement to which the follower is subjected by the cam, and to adjust the length of time that the contacts are out of engagement with each other.

F urther objects of my invention are to provide a contact arm which is of the lightest construction possible, consistent with sufiiclent rigidity to cause said arm accurately to follow the actuating arm and positively to move the movable contact into and out of engagement with the stationary contact.

F urther objects are to provide a closed circuit timing or interrupter apparatus in which one of the contacts, as the fixed contact, is in any suitable way supported on or carried by a member which covers, holds or supports,

the condenser.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a combined contact device and distributor which is of few parts, is easily manufactured and assembled; may be produced at a relatively low cost and is of high efiiciency.

Further objects of my invention appear in the specification and claimsbelow:

Referring now to the drawings forming Renewed Sanuary 3.5, 192d,

immovably mountsubstantially integral or unltary with such a relatively lar ea part of this specification and in which the same reference characters are employed throughout the various views to refer to the same parts, Fig. 1 is a plan view. of the contact maker or timing apparatus per se, the cam and shaft upon which the same is mounted being in cross section, the distributor arm or block and the distributor cap being removed.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the combined contact maker and distributor cap, showing the relative arrangement of the arts.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of the combined cam and distributor block, and Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the distributor block and cam, and Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the contact arm showing the parts attached thereto.

The combined timing device and distributor comprise a base plate 1, preferably of cast iron provided with a hub or journal 2,

within which the driving. shaft 3 is rotatably mounted. The base 1 is preferably provided with an oblong recess 4 in the top thereof, adapted to substantially register with a similar recess 5 in a cast iron member 6 which forms the condenser holder or cover and stationary contact support or carrier. Within the recesses 4 and 5 is mounted a condenser 7 having its opposite terminals 8 and 9 in electrical engagement with the base 1 and the condenser cover 6, respectively.

The condenser cover 6 is rigidly secured to and mounted upon the base or body 1 by a pair of screws 10-10 assing through suitable openings 1111 1n the lugs or extensions 6 and 6 on the condenser holder 6. In Fig. 2 one of these screws 10 is plainly shown, it being understood that the other screw 10 Fig. 1) is mounted in identical manner. round each screw 10 is a bushing 12 of insulating material, the exterior diameter of said bushing being somewhat smaller than the opening 11 through the extension 6 or 6". Over the end of the bushing 12 and between the base 1 and the extension 6 or 6 is a washer 13, also ,of insulating material, and around the screw 10 and over the end of the bushing 12 and overlying the opening 11 is another washer'14 also of insulating material. Between the washer 1 2. and the head of the screw 10 is a metal washer .15. The screw 10 is threaded into a suitable opening 16 in the base 1. It will thus be seen that the member 6 is rigidly secured to the base 1 by the two screws 10-10, but is thoroughly and completely electrically insulated therefrom. Preferably the lower'terminal 8 of the condenser is clamped between the washer 13. under extension 6", and the base 1, and the upper terminal 9 is similarly clamped between the washer 13 and the extension 6, thus ensuring the positive engagement of the respective terminals of the condenser with the base and member 6, respectively.

The member 6 is provided with an arm 17 in a cavity 18 in the end of which the stationary contact 18, preferably of tungsten, is rigidly secured. Preferably the contact 18 is cylindrical and is tightly forced into the recess or opening 18 in the end of the arm 17. The contact is thus substantially set into the arm 17 of the condenser cover 6, which comprises a relatively lar e body of cast iron having a comparativey extensive heat radiating surface, so that any heat which might be produced in the contact 18', due to arcing or sparking at the contacts, is rapidly conducted away and radiates, thus keeping the contact 18 relatively cool.

Upon the end of the shaft 3 is mounted the combined distributor arm or block and cam 19. This combined block and cam member is made of a single piece of hard smooth wear-resisting insulating material, preferably a condensation product, such as bakelite. This combined block and cam member is also preferably molded directly on and over the reduced end 3 of the shaft 3, so that it is permanently secured thereto. In order that there can be no relative movement between this combined block and cam member and the shaft 3 upon which it is mounted, the end 3' may be provided with a knurled or otherwise roughened surface 20 before the combined block and cam mem- 1 her is molded thereon so that the molded 'block will firmly gripand hold to the end ,of said shaft. This combined block and cam member comprises acam 21, the axis of which is coincident with that of the shaft 1 3, and it isprovided with as many points 22 as there are cylinders in the engine to which the secondary current is to be distributed. In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, this cam 21 is substantially square and has four faces. For a six cylinder engine the cam would be. of course, hexagonal in form with six faces. The distributor arm or block 23 extends radially from the axis of the shaft 3 and 11 carries at its free end a metal terminal plate 24:, which is molded into the top of the distributor block simultaneously with the molding of the cam block member on and over the shaft 3. This plate 24 may be provided with 12 an integral projection or insert 25 embedded in the distributor block, which projection is preferably provided with a tapped hole into which is threaded a screw 26, by means of which the contact spring arm 27 is secured at one end to the metal plate 24. The outer end of the metal plate 24 is preferably formed curved on the. arc of a. circle, the center of which is the axis of the shaft 3 to coact with the distributorterminals 40.

neoaaee Secured to the base 1 by a set screw 28 is a plate or bracket 29 having an upturned end 30, having a relatively extended surface. This upturned end 30 forms a support for a fiat spring member 31, one end of which is secured by rivets 32 to said upturned end 30. This fiat spring member 31 extends laterally beyond said upturned end 30 and its free end is preferably secured to the end 33 of the contact arm 34 by rivets 35. The free flat end 36 of the arm 34 extends into the path of the movement of the cam 21. Intermediate its ends the arm 34 is provided with a movable contact 37, preferably of tungsten. The arm 34 is preferably of channel section, or transversely bowed or arched to make the same rigid, as shown in Fig. 6.

The surface of the cam 21 is smooth and the free end 36 of the arm 34 is also made. smooth, so that there is substantially no friction between them. By adjusting the plate or bracket 29 about the set screw 28, the spring member 31 may be flexed to produce the desired'amount of tension in the spring 31, said tension being operative to hold the movable contact 37 in engagement with the stationary contact 18, and to hold the free end 36 of the contact arm 34 against the cam when the said part engages the same.

By making the holes or openings 11-11 in the extensions 6 and 6 a little larger than the exterior diameter of the bushings 12, the whole cover 6 may be slightly moved upon loosening the screws 1010 to adjust the contact arm 34 and to align the stationary contact '18 with the movable contact 37.

One end of the primary circuit is connected by conductor 38 to member 6 by a binding screw 38. The base plate 1 may be and preferably is grounded to the machine; when not grounded it'may be connected in circuit by a conductor held in contact with base 1 by screw 38".

Over the contact device and distributor block is preferably arranged a cap or cover 39 of insulating-material, such as bakelite, provided with as many metal distributor terminals 40 as there are cylinders in the engine, arranged in a circle whose center is in the axis of the shaft 3, and in the path of the metal terminal plate 24, so that plate 24 is presented to a distributor terminal 40 of the secondary circuit when the contact points 18 and 37 of the contact device separate. The contact spring 27 bears against a contact 41 in the cap 39 andforms one terminal of the secondary circuit of the ignition induction coil or other high tension source. The cap 39 is detachably secured to the base 1 by any suitable means, not shown.

By making the distributor block and cam member of insulating material, I am enabled to make the contact arm 34 of exceedingly light metal construction and avoid any tendency of the circuit to break down through the cam and said arm. By embedding the stationary contact 18 in the condenser cover the heat which might be produced in the contact is rapidly dissipated, and the stationary contact is so mounted that it cannot be readily removed or tampered with. By making the condenser cover slightly adjustable the stationary contact may be made substantially unitary with the member 6, and at the same time sufficiently movable accurately and properly to adjust the position of the contacts with respect to each other, to adjust or regulate the length of time that the circuit-is broken by the cam and to adjust the extent of the movement of the contact arm under the lifting action of the cam.

By any suitable means attached to lug 1 on base 1 the contacts and arm 34 are rotated with respect to the cam to advance or retard the ignition, the movement being limited by the lug l on base 1 engaging any suitable fixed stops, not shown, but generally carried by the support, not shown, in which the hub 2 has a bearing.

This application is a renewal of my application Ser. No. 131,750; or is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 131,750, renewed January 15, 1920, Ser. No. 351,700.

What 1 claim is:

1. In a combined contact maker and distributor, the combination with adrive shaft, of an integral cam and distributor block of insulating material mounted on said shaft, and a metallic member engaging said cam.

2. In a combined contact ma-ker and distributor, the combination with a drive shaft. of an integral cam and, distributor block of insulatin material immovably molded on said sha t, and ametallic member engaging said cam.

3. In a combined contact maker and distributor, the combination with a drive shaft,

fixed and" movable interrupter contacts,

means for periodically actuating said movable contact, and supporting members for said contacts insulated from each other, said fixed contact fixedly mounted within a recess in one of said supporting members.

6; Ignition timing apparatus comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for periodically actuating said movcontact arm, a metallic able'contact, and supporting members for said contacts insulated from each other, one of said supportin members consistin of cast iron having great, radiating sur ace, said fixed contact aflixed directly .to \said one of said supporting member's.v a t 7. In a combined contact device and distributor, the combination with a 'metallic base, of a shaft journalled in said base, a'

combined cam and distributor block of insulating material fixedly molded on said shaft, a contact arm, a resilient member mounted on said base and supporting said arm and tending to hold said arm against said cam, a movable contact carried by said late or member mounted on said base an insulated there from, and -a relatively stationary contact .fixedly mounted in said plate to co operate with said movable contact, said plate being bodily movable and adjustable on said base to position said stationary contact point with respect to said movable contact point and to Vary the length of time of engage ment of said arm with said cam.

8. In a combined contact maker and distributor, the combination with a metallic base, of a shaft journalled in said base, a cam of insulating material fixedly mounted on said base to position said stationary contact with res ect to said. movable contact and to vary t e extent of the movement of said movable contact away irom said stationary contact and to vary the extent of the engagement ofsaid contact arm with said cam.

9. In a contact device, the combination with a shaft, of a cam of hard insulating material driven by said shaft, a contact arm, means tending to hold said arm in engagement with said cam, a condenser cover, a block of tungsten forming a stav tionary contact embedded in said cover, a

base on which said contact arm is mounted, insulating means between said base and said cover, and a condenser between said cover and said base and having its terminals in engagement with said base and cover, respectively, said cover being bodily adjustable in a plane normal to the axis of said shaft.

10. Ignition timing apparatus comprising fixed and movable' interrupter contacts, means for actuating said movable contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, and a metallic cover for said condenser, said fixed contact embedded in said cover and projecting therefrom.

11. In a contact device, the combination with a drive shaft, of a cam of insulating material rigidly secured to said shaft, a light rigid metallic contact arm bearing on said cam, a flat resilient member extending substantially transverse to said arm on the free end of which member said arm is rigidly mounted, a bracket rigidly secured to the other end of said spring member, and a movable contact carried by said contact arm. Ii

12. In ignition apparatus, distributor structure comprising a distributor member of moldedinsulating material; a terminal at a distance from the axis ofrotation of said member, a contact spring in electrical communication with said terminal and extending froin said terminal toward the axis of rotation of said member, and an insert in said member at a distance from its axis of rotation for holding said terminal and said spring.

13. Ina contact device, a combined cam and distributor member of non-metallic material integrally connected together.

14. In a contact device, a combined-contact operating cam and distributor. member of hard insulating material integrally molded together.

15.'Ina combined contact maker and distributor', the combination with a metal driving shaft, of a distributor member of hard moldable insulating material, and a cam of smooth hard insulating material integral with said member rigidly and fixedly molded on said shaft.

16. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a support fo'r'one of said contacts, and a member holding said condenser and carrying the other of said contacts.

- 17. Timing apparatus for an ignition systemof the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from'said fixed contact, acondenser shunting said contacts, a su port for one of said contacts, and a meta lic member holding said condenser and carrying the other of said contacts and electrically connected therewith.

18. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a' rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a support for one of said contacts, and a member secured to said support holding said condenser and carrying the other of said contacts.

l9. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed ,contact, a'condenser shunting said contacts. a su port for one of said contacts, and a meta lic member secured to and insulated from said support holding said condenser and carrying the other of said contacts and electrically connected therewith' 20. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a support for the movable contact, and a member holding said condenser and carrying the fixed contact.

21. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a support for one of said contacts, and a condenser cover of" metal between which and said support said condenser is disposed, the other-of said contactscarried by said cover and in electrical communication therewith. a

22. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a support for one of said contacts, anda condenser cover between which and said support said condenser is disposed, the other of said contacts carried by said cover.

23. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit "type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts,

means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a base supporting the movable contact, and a condenser holder secured to said base and carrying the fixed contact.

24. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts, means for biasing the movable contact toward and holding it in engagement with the fixed contact, a rotatable cam for moving said movable contact away from said fixed contact, a condenser shunting said contacts, a base, a base and between which and said base said condenser is disposed, said cover having extensions on opposite sides of said cam, one

.of said contacts carried by one of said extensions, and a movable arm on said base carrying the other of said contacts and de-' flectlng about a point on the same side of said cam with said one of said contacts.

'25. Timing apparatus for an ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising fixed and movable interrupter contacts; a. condenser shunting said contacts, a base, a condenser holder secured to said base, one of said contacts carried by said holder, an arm carried by said base and carrying the other of said contacts, a spring biasing said arm toward said holder and holding said contacts in engagement with each other, and a rotatable cam actuating said arm to separate said contacts from each other.

26. In ignition timing apparatus, a ro-.

tatable cam of insulatin material, a distributor block 01? insulating material integral therewith and projecting radiall from the axis of rotation of said cam, an a distributor terminal adjacent the outer end of said block.

27. In ignition "timing apparatus, a. rotatable driving shaft, acam of insulating material co-axial with said shaft and rotated thereby, a distributor. block of insulating material integral with said cam and disposed on the opposite side thereof from said shaft, said block extending radially of the axis of rotation of-said shaft, and a terminal adjacent the outer end of said block.

28. In ignition timing apparatus, a combined cam and distributor block of condensation product integrall molded together,

condenser, cover secured to said said block extending ra ially of the axis of rigid metal arm of channelsection, a leaf springattached to one end thereof and extending transversely thereof at a relatively great angle, a contact carried by said arm, and a cam of molded non-metallic material, said arm having a flat end engaging said cam.

31. In ignition timing apparatus, a light rigid metal arm, a cam for actuating the same, said arm being concave on the side adjacent said cam, and a contact carried by said arm.

3-2.'In ignition timing apparatus, a dis tributor block of insulating material, a terminal adjacent the outer end of said block, an insert integral with. said terminal embedded in said block, and a contact spring, said insert holding said spring in electrical communication with said.- terminal.

33. In ignition timing apparatus, fixed and movable circuit interrupting contacts, a condenser, and a metallic condenser holding member, one of said contacts affixed directly to said condenser holding member.

34. In.ignition timing apparatus, 'fixed and movable circuit interrupting contacts, a condenser, a metallic condenser Holding member having a cavity, said stationary contact affixed to said holding member in said cavity.

35. In ignition apparatus, distributor structure comprising a rotatable distributor member of molded insulating material, a terminal at a distance from the axis of rotation of said member, a contact spring in electrical communication with said terminal and extending from said terminal toward the axis of rotation of said member, and an, insert disposed entirely to one side of the axis of rotation of. said memberrand adjacent the region of contact of said spring with said terminal for holding said spring.

36. In ignition apparatus, distributor structure comprising a rotatable distributor member of molded insulating material, an insert disposed entirely to one side of the axis of rotation of said member adjacent the outerend thereof and Whose longitudinal.

extent is parallel to said axis of rotation, a contact spring extending from said insert toward the axis of rotation of said member and spaced from said member adjacent its axis of rotation, and means engaging in said said insert for holding said spring.

38. A distributor for igni ion apparatus comprising a rotatable distributor member of molded insulating material, a radially short terminal adjacent the outer end of said member and terminating short of the axis of rotation of said member, a contact spring in electrical communication with said terminal and extending from said terminal toward the axis of rotation of said member,

an insert in said member adjacent the outer end of said spring, and means attached to said insert extending through said spring and terminal for holding said spring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature this 30th day of June, 1921.

ARTHUR AI WATER KENT.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,407,284, granted February 21,

1922, upon the application of Arthur Atwater Kent, of Ardmore, Pennsylvania,

for an improvement in Ignition-Control Apparatus, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, strike out line 54; page 2,

line 83, for the word radiates read radiated; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice Signed and sealed this 3d day of October, A. D., 1922.

WM. A. KINNAN,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

